Bowling ball launch device

Abstract

The bowling ball launch device launches a bowling bowl according to user input. The bowling ball launch device is self-contained and allows people of any age and ability to train and play the game of bowling. The bowling ball launch device includes a ball launch unit and a ball launch chamber in its internal cavity. Rails extend though the device along which the bowling ball travels through to an exit hole. A motor in the interior of the device transfers power to a drive belt which in turn rotates power wheels. The outer surfaces of the rotating power wheels come into contact with the bowling ball and impart speed. The device is operated using a power supply and electronic components under control of a programmable circuit board.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A bowling ball launch device comprising:
 a frame comprising a top cover, a bottom cover, two side covers, a front cover and a rear cover, wherein the top cover, bottom cover, two side covers, front cover and rear cover define an internal cavity;   a plurality of wheels attached to and extending downward from the bottom cover;   a plurality of brakes, where one of each of the plurality of brakes is substantially adjacent to one of each of the plurality of wheels;   a platform disposed on the exterior of the rear cover, the platform in communication with a weight sensor;   an entry hole disposed in the rear cover that allows access to the internal cavity from the platform;   a rotating ball cover sized to conform to the entry hole, wherein the rotating ball cover rotates between a closed position closing access to the internal cavity from the platform and an open position allowing access to the internal cavity from the platform;   a ball launch unit in the internal cavity proximal the rear cover, wherein the ball launch unit comprises at least two substantially parallel rails extending substantially from the entry hole, wherein the two substantially parallel rails are sized to support a bowling ball in a space between the rails;   a ball launch chamber disposed in the internal cavity sequentially adjacent the ball launch unit along a longitudinal axis of the device, the ball launch chamber comprising a motor, a drive belt in communication with the motor and one or more power wheels in communication with the drive belt;   an exit hole adjacent to the ball launch chamber, wherein the exit hole extends through the front cover of the device, wherein the front cover is distal from the rear cover;   a plurality of controls;   a power supply;   a screen;   a programmable circuit board; and   a plurality of electronic components, the plurality of electronic components in communication with and under control of the programmable circuit board,   wherein the power supply provides power to the rotating ball cover, the plurality of controls, the screen, the plurality of electronic components and the programmable circuit board.   
     
     
         2 . The bowling ball launch device of  claim 1 , wherein the screen comprises a plurality of graphical user interfaces (GUIs). 
     
     
         3 . The bowling ball launch device of  claim 2 , wherein a control for speed of the motor; a power level indicating speed of the motor; a weight as read by the weight sensor; the opened or closed status of the rotating ball cover; a reading from a direction indicator; a proximity sensor unit output; or combinations thereof are displayed on the screen. 
     
     
         4 . The bowling ball launch device of  claim 3 , wherein the direction indicator comprises a gyroscope. 
     
     
         5 . The bowling ball launch device of  claim 3 , wherein the direction indicator comprises a compass. 
     
     
         6 . The bowling ball launch device of  claim 3 , wherein an on/off switch, a Launch button or combinations thereof are disposed on the rear cover of the device. 
     
     
         7 . The bowling ball launch device of  claim 6 , wherein the ball launch chamber comprises the motor; the drive belt in communication with the motor; one or more power wheels, the one or more power wheels disposed in sequential alignment along a longitudinal axis of the device; and a power belt in direct communication with each of the one or more power wheels, wherein the drive belt is in direct communication with a first of the sequence of the one or more power wheels, wherein the motor powers the drive belt to rotate, wherein rotation of the drive belt causes rotation of the first of the sequence of the one or more power wheels, wherein rotation of the first of the sequence of the one or more power wheels causes rotation of the power belt, wherein rotation of the power belt causes rotation of all of the one or more power wheels. 
     
     
         8 . The bowling ball launch device of  claim 1 , wherein the controls comprise one or more of a control for speed of the motor; a power level indicating speed of the motor; an on/off button; a Launch button; or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         9 . The bowling ball launch device of  claim 8 , wherein one or more of a weight as read by the weight sensor; the opened or closed status of the rotating ball cover; and the proximity sensor unit output are displayed on the screen. 
     
     
         10 . The bowling ball launch device of  claim 9 , wherein the ball launch chamber comprises the motor; the drive belt in communication with the motor; and one or more power wheels, the one or more power wheels disposed in sequential alignment along a longitudinal axis of the device; wherein the drive belt is in direct communication with each of the one or more power wheels, wherein the motor powers the drive belt to rotate, wherein rotation of the drive belt causes rotation of the one or more power wheels. 
     
     
         11 . The bowling ball launch device of  claim 1 , further comprising a reflective sensor unit disposed on the exterior of the front cover. 
     
     
         12 . The bowling ball launch device of  claim 1 , further comprising a standard media player. 
     
     
         13 . The bowling ball launch device of  claim 1 , wherein the proximity sensor unit comprises a camera. 
     
     
         14 . The bowling ball launch device of  claim 1 , comprising one to five power wheels. 
     
     
         15 . A method of launching a bowling ball toward a target, comprising:
 turning power on to the device of  claim 1 ;   placing a bowling ball to be launched on the platform;   setting a power level for the motor by pressing a power level control; and   pressing a Launch button,   wherein the programmable circuit board checks a weight of the bowling ball on the platform according to an output of the weight sensor and checks if any objects are detected by the proximity sensor unit,   wherein if the weight of the bowling ball falls within a predetermined weight range and if no objects are detected by the proximity sensor unit, the programmable circuit board activates the Launch button,   whereupon the programmable circuit board controls opening of the rotating ball cover, whereupon the bowling ball enters the ball launch unit through the entry hole,   whereupon the programmable circuit board turns on the motor to the power level set by pressing the power level controls,   whereupon the drive belt is driven to rotate by the motor,   whereupon the one or more power wheels are rotated by action of rotation of the drive belt,   whereupon the bowling ball enters the ball launch chamber by action of gravity,   whereupon the top surface of the bowling ball sequentially contacts the outer surfaces of the rotating one or more power wheels,   whereupon the bowling ball exits the device through the exit hole and rolls toward the target.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the bowling ball launch device of  claim 1  further comprises a reflective sensor unit disposed on the exterior of the front cover, wherein the reflective sensor unit is in communication with and under control of the programmable circuit board, wherein the programmable circuit board checks that the reflective sensor unit detects a reflective film placed in the line of sight of the target prior to activating the Launch button.